Schiff is back to his crooked ways.
Senator Adam Schiff (D-Calif.) recently raised concerns about Elon Musk’s potential conflicts of interest as he spearheads an ambitious project to restructure the executive branch through the newly established Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). In a letter to White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles, Schiff questioned whether Musk, in his role as a “special government employee,” is complying with federal laws regarding conflicts of interest, ethics, and disclosure requirements.
Musk, a prominent tech entrepreneur and CEO of Tesla and SpaceX, is at the center of DOGE’s efforts to cut government spending and overhaul federal agencies. However, Schiff highlighted that Musk’s significant financial stakes in private companies that profit from federal contracts could create potential conflicts. Over the last decade, Tesla and SpaceX have secured at least $15.4 billion in government contracts. Schiff expressed concern that the public and Congress have not been informed about whether Musk is adhering to federal regulations that prevent government employees from engaging in matters that may directly benefit their financial interests.
Schiff specifically questioned whether Musk has received a waiver from the White House to bypass potential legal penalties related to conflicts of interest. Additionally, the senator asked if Musk had filed the necessary financial disclosure reports required by law.
In response, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt assured the public that Musk would recuse himself from any projects or contracts where a conflict of interest arises. Leavitt emphasized that Musk is committed to abiding by all applicable laws, and that his work with DOGE will be transparent.
Since the start of the new administration, DOGE has quickly moved to reshape the executive branch, particularly by leveraging federal technology infrastructure. Controversially, DOGE employees were granted access to a federal payment system at the Treasury Department, which led to significant pushback from Democrats and legal challenges. A federal judge temporarily blocked access to the system, which handles most federal payments. Additionally, DOGE has proposed significant changes to the U.S. Agency for International Development, including placing thousands of employees on leave, though a federal judge has also halted that action for the time being.
As the DOGE project moves forward, questions surrounding transparency and potential conflicts of interest remain crucial for ensuring accountability within the government. Musk’s leadership of DOGE and his ties to private enterprises should be carefully scrutinized to maintain public trust in the reform process.